Zebulon— The breeze made the weather comfortable for the estimated 200 people who participated in the town’s Independence Day festival.

Here’s the picture: bouncing children in moonwalks, magic tricks on the steps of Zebulon Baptist Church, food vendors, rides on a miniature horse and people decked out in red, white and blue.

“Three hundred and sixty four days out of the year I have on a Red Sox t-shirt,” said Dan Russo, wearing an American flag shirt. “But I always dress patriotic on July 4. It’s a great day to be an American.

“In fact, every day is a great day to be an American. We have our freedom. we have our choices. We have a great place to let our children grow and you can’t say that about every place in the world.”

Russo’s pause to reflect was just one way people were celebrating the country’s birthday.

For others, it was sheer entertainment.

“It’s fun,” said Chris Poole as he fried some funnel cake at his booth. “I just love cooking.”

The event’s sponsor, the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce, had a booth with patriotic pin wheels, balls and American flags free for the taking.

Also from the booth, Ann Liles, of the Zebulon Women’s Club, was soliciting volunteers for the American Red Cross blood drive to be held on Thursday, July 12 and on Friday, July 13. The drive is sponsored by the Rotary and Woman’s clubs.

It was that “hometown feel” of the festival and the community spirit like Lile’s that drew Tim and Valerie Shelton to the town. They moved to the Tippett Creek subdivision a month ago from Durham.

“We wanted a change for the girls, more land and a larger house,” said Tim Shelton, who had children Emily, 3 and Lillie-Grace, 1, with him at the July 4 event.

The family was in line at the Sabrett hot dog stand run by Wendell vendors.

“Actually, we came out here because we love to eat,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t get enough of it.”

Tim Shelton said he enjoys the rural scenery the outer rims of Zebulon still has. He likes to see the cows on his way to work. And Interstate 540 makes his commute to Research Triangle Park fast and convenient, he said.

Kristin Sparks of Zebulon summed up why she came to the Independence Day festival.

“The children,” she said as her kids Christopher, 5, and Carmen, 7 bounced in the moonwalk. “It’s so much fun to bring them out and let them play with everybody.”

Sparks said her family planned to head to the Five County Stadium for the fireworks show that night.

Felicia Newman brought her young children to the festival because it was the only public event she knew of in eastern Wake County during the day.

“After 5 p.m., it isn’t good for a two-year-old and a four-year-old,” she said.

Clown Kelly Jo, who is Maxine Hutchinson of Apex in her every day life, made 13 different types of balloon sculptures for kids.

T’Von Cole, 7, and her brother Tedric, 5, stopped by to get one.

“I’m five too today,” Hutchinson told Tedric. “I’m acting my age.”

The children’s mother Tabitha said she made a spontaneous stop at the festival while her mother was being treated at the Wake Dialysis Center in Zebulon.

“I like when they float ,” said T’Von of her keepsake. “I let them float in the house.”

Zebulon Chamber Executive Director Tammy Russo said she was happy about the event’s success.

“We’ve had just the right amount of food,” Russo said. “The weather has been beautiful and the kids have had an absolute ball with all the bouncy things. It’s been a great family fun day.”